WASHINGTON — The outcome of the 2024 presidential election hangs in the balance as election workers across the United States count the ballots that will determine whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump receive the necessary, coveted Electoral College votes.
Trump maintained the lead in the race, with The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ predicting victories for Trump in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia as of about 8 p.m. Eastern. Decision Desk also predicted a Trump victory in Missouri.
Both sources predicted Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont for Harris.
All results are unofficial until local election officials across the country are announced verify and certify the result in the coming days and weeks.
The Proceedings Counting ballots and determining a winner could take several days.
Polls closed Tuesday evening first in the eastern half of the United States, capping an extraordinary campaign season defined by Trump divisive Rhetoric, his numerous criminal cases And two Try on his life. The race took an unprecedented turn when President Joe Biden, after a disastrous performance in the debate dropped His re-election bid just over 100 days until the election, prompting the Trump camp to turn to Harris.
A “very exciting time”
As the predictions came true, Trump posted reminders of poll closing times on his Truth Social platform. The former president spent election night at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
Harris spent election night at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C., where her supporters gathered.
Lalika Gerald, a 2005 Howard graduate, remembers studying television production in the library, which is now hosting an election night rally for what could be the country’s first black woman to lead the country.
“It’s a very exciting time to be here and know that a Bison like me will soon be our president,” she said, referring to the university’s mascot.
The 41-year-old from Prince George’s County, Maryland, said she experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the day.
“As excited and hopeful as I am, you never know what could happen,” she said. “It’s a moment for us to really be seen.”
In the States
States Newsroom journalists traveled across the country Tuesday, speaking to voters outside churches, community centers, schools and courthouses, where not only the presidential race but also congressional contests and ballot initiatives weighed on their minds.
Voter Stephanie Capps in Raleigh, North Carolinasaid she brought her 9-year-old daughter to the polls to show her democracy in action.
“Because a little over 100 years ago, women couldn’t vote,” Capps told NC Newsline. “And so we talked about how important it is for them to learn how to vote.”
The presidential campaigns continued to hit swing states, speak to the press and issue statements reminding voters of their rights.
Harris remained in Washington, D.C., where she appeared on several radio shows in battleground states. According to her campaign, she was a guest on Power 99 in Philadelphia with Cappuchino and KDKA NewsRadio in Pittsburgh with Larry Richert, the Big Tigger Morning Show in Atlanta, Georgia and Foxy 107.2 with Karen Clark in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“I’m proud to get a lot of support from Pittsburgh, it’s a historic city,” Harris told Richert, who asked about her 10 campaign visits to the western Pennsylvania city.
Harris’ Vice President Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, stopped in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaTuesday, where he spoke to supporters and volunteers.
Walz told reporters after the event, “I think the choice couldn’t be bigger.”
Trump, from his Mar-a-Lago estate, posted a video message to voters on his Truth Social platform reminding them to stay in line if they arrive before polls close.
“Republicans, we are doing very well. Stay online, don’t go offline and vote. Make sure you get through and vote. “We will have a great victory tonight,” Trump said.
Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, spoke to reporters after the vote in Cincinnati.
“Look, I feel good. You never know until you know, but I have a good feeling about this race,” he said.
Biden, who was the presumptive Democratic nominee until he abandoned his re-election bid and endorsed Harris just over 100 days ago, made no public appearance Tuesday.
This developing story will be updated.
Ariana Figueroa contributed to this report.
Last updated on November 5, 2024 at 8:19 p.m
